• Natural Product Sciences
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• 제16권4호
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• pp.259-264
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• 2010

The essential oil fraction was obtained from the underground parts o of Ligusticum chuanxiong (Umbelliferae) by steam distillation, and its main components, Z-ligustilide and butylidene phthalide, were isolated by column chromatography. Its essential oil fraction and the isolated main components were examined for effects on their anti-inflammatory properties in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells to develop a new natural anti-inflammatory drug. The results showed that the L. chuanxiong essential oil fraction and its main components, Z-ligustilide and butylidene phthalide, inhibited the production of nitric oxide significantly in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 cells. LPS-induced interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-$\alpha$) production was also decreased in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, western blot analysis revealed that the L. chuanxiong essential oil fraction and also its main components, Z-ligustilide, and butylidene phthalide reduced the expression levels of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS).

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• 제1권1호
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• pp.40-45
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• 2005

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has long been used as an adjuvant or first choice of therapy for liver disease. Commonly, UDCA has been reported to play a role in improving hyperbilirubinemia and disorder of bromsulphalein. More commonly, UDCA has been used in reducing the rate of cholesterol level in bile juice that can cause cholesterol stone. The effects on the promotion of bile acid release that leads an excretion of toxic materials and wastes produced in liver cells as well as various arrays of liver disease such as hepatitis. Other than already reported in clinical use, immunosuppressive effect has been studied, especially in transplantation. In the study, we hypothesized that UDCA might have a certain role in anti-inflammation through a preventive effect of pro-inflammatory potentials in the brain macrophages, microglia. We found that the treatment of $200\;{\mu}g/ml$ UDCA effectively suppressed the pro-inflammatory mediators (i.e. nitric oxide and interleukin-$1{\beta}$) in rat microglia compared to comparators. Interestingly, RT-PCR analysis suggested that UDCA strongly attenuated the expression of $IL-1{\beta}$ that was comparable with cyclosporine A at 48 h incubation. Conclusively, we found that UDCA may playa cytoprotective role in microglial cells through direct or indirect pathways by scavenging a toxic compound or an anti-inflammatory effect, which are known as major causes of neurodegenerative diseases.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.141-149
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• 2007

Madhuca indica has been used ethnomedically in Indian folks. In the present study we have investigated anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer and hypoglycaemic effect of ethanolic extract (EE) and crude alkaloid extract of Madhuca indica seed cake on albino rats. The study showed that the EE had a significant, dose dependent anti-edematogenic, anti-ulcerogenic and hypoglycaemic activity, whereas the crude alkaloid extract exhibited a significant only. Both the extracts possess dose dependent inhibitory activity on carrageenan-induced edema, inhibiting prostaglandins or mediators involved in prostaglandin synthesis, the second phase of inflammation. The EE was significantly effective in protecting pylorus-ligation-induced gastric ulcers at a higher dose level. The active principle of EE seems to be a selective inhibitor of the COX II (prostaglandin synthesis) without important effect on COX I since, EE exhibited both anti-edematogenic and anti-ulcerogenic effect. The EE was effective in reducing the plasma glucose level in normal albino rats in a dose dependent manner, producing hypoglycaemic effect by stimulating the release of insulin from the ${\beta}-cells$ and/or increasing the uptake of glucose from the plasma.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제32권3호
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• pp.83-93
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether acupuncture at $SP_6$ attenuates esophageal inflammation on refluxed-induced esophagitis. Methods : Acupuncture at $SP_6$ was stimulated by acupuncture torsion technique for 30 seconds four times every hour after an operation induced reflux esophagitis(RE), and its effects were assessed in comparison with RE rats without acupuncture, and normal rats. Results : $SP_6$ acupuncture stimulation markedly ameliorated mucosal damage in the histological evaluation. Reflux-induced esophagitis rats exhibited the down-regulation of antioxidant-related protein expression levels such as heme oxygenase-1(HO-1) in the esophagitis; however, the associated levels with $SP_6$ acupuncture stimulation were significantly higher than those in RE rats without acupuncture stimulation. Moreover, $SP_6$ acupuncture stimulation significantly reduced the expression of inflammatory proteins through mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)-related signaling pathways. The increased protein expressions of inflammatory mediators, cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS), by nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-kB) activation were significantly suppressed through $SP_6$ acupuncture stimulation. Conclusions : Our findings support the therapeutic evidence for $SP_6$ acupuncture stimulation alleviating the development of esophagitis via regulating inflammation through the activation of the antioxidant pathway.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제19권4호
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• pp.285-294
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• 2013

Chungyangeum (CYE) is a newly designed herbal drug formula for the purpose of treating atopic dermatitis. The aim of the present study is to elucidate whether and how CYE modulates the allergy inflammation in vitro and in vivo. We investigate to ascertain the pharmacological effects of CYE on both compound 48/80 or histamine-induced scratching behaviors and 2, 4-dinitrochlrobenzene (DNCB)-induced atopic dermatitis in mice. Additionally, we attempted to determine the effects of CYE on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses in macrophages. The findings of this study demonstrated that CYE reduced compound 48/80 or histamine-induced scratching behaviors and DNCB-induced atopic dermatitis in mice. The CYE inhibited the production of inflammatory cytokines as well as the activation of NF-${\kappa}B$ and caspase-1 in stimulated macrophages. Collectively, the findings of this study provide us with novel insights into the pharmacological actions of CYE as a potential molecule for use in the treatment of allergic inflammation diseases.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.1-15
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• 2009

Neuropathic pain is often refractory to intervention because of the complex etiology and an incomplete understanding of the mechanisms behind this type of pain. Glial cells, specifically microglia and astrocytes, are powerful modulators of pain and new targets of drug development for neuropathic pain. Glial activation could be the driving force behind chronic pain, maintaining the noxious signal transmission even after the original injury has healed. Glia express chemokine, purinergic, toll-like, glutaminergic and other receptors that enable them to respond to neural signals, and they can modulate neuronal synaptic function and neuronal excitability. Nerve injury upregulates multiple receptors in spinal microglia and astrocytes. Microglia influence neuronal communication by producing inflammatory products at the synapse, as do astrocytes because they completely encapsulate synapses and are in close contact with neuronal somas through gap junctions. Glia are the main source of inflammatory mediators in the central nervous system. New therapeutic strategies for neuropathic pain are emerging such as targeting the glial cells, novel pharmacologic approaches and gene therapy. Drugs targeting microglia and astrocytes, cytokine production, and neural structures including dorsal root ganglion are now under study, as is gene therapy. Isoform-specific inhibition will minimize the side effects produced by blocking all glia with a general inhibitor. Enhancing the anti-inflammatory cytokines could prove more beneficial than administering proinflammatory cytokine antagonists that block glial activation systemically. Research on therapeutic gene transfer to the central nervous system is underway, although obstacles prevent immediate clinical application.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제18권12호
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• pp.1990-1996
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• 2008

Astaxanthin has shown antioxidant, antitumor, and anti-inflammatory activities; however, its molecular action and mechanism in the nervous system have yet to be elucidated. We examined the in vitro effects of astaxanthin on the production of nitric oxide (NO), as well as the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 microglial cells. Astaxanthin inhibited the expression or formation of nitric oxide (NO), iNOS and COX-2 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV-2 microglial cells. Astaxanthin also suppressed the protein levels of iNOS and COX-2 in LPS-stimulated BV2 microglial cells. These results suggest that astaxanthin, probably due to its antioxidant activity, inhibits the production of inflammatory mediators by blocking iNOS and COX-2 activation or by the suppression of iNOS and COX-2 degradation.

• 대한기관식도과학회지
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• 제4권2호
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• pp.182-187
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• 1998

Platelet activating factor (PAP) has been known as implicating as one of potent inflammatory mediators and reported 0 be involved in inflammation and allergy. PAF induces ciliary dysfunction and epithelial damage of human paranasal sinus mucosa in vitro. However, several recent papers have reported that PAF may not readily damage the airway epithelium. The aim of this study was to investigate the ultrastructural evidence to elucidate the pathogenesis of epithelial damage induced by PAF. Sixteen $\mu\textrm{g}$ g of PAF was applied into the maxillary sinuses of 6 rabbits. Rabbits were divided into 2 subgroups along with time interval at 1st and 3rd experimental day, and sinus mucosae were taken for the histopathologic study using electron microscopy. At 1st day, epithelial cells showed no ultrastructural change. Ultrastructures of the cilia were well preserved. Subepithelial space showed no evidence of the infiltration of inflammatory cells. Intravascular platelet aggregation and swelling of endothelial cells were evident. At 3rd day, epithelial cells showed vacuolar degeneration. Fusion of cilia forming giant cilia and focal loss of cilia were evident. Eosinophils were infiltrated in subepithelial and intraepithelial space. Swelling of endothelial cells, and migration of inflammatory cells into the connective tissue were evident. This study implies that epithelial damage induced by PAF may be secondary to the cytotoxicity of mobilized eosinophils rather than direct cytotoxicity of PAF.

• 한방안이비인후피부과학회지
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• 제31권4호
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• pp.22-30
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• 2018

Objectives : The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between chronic low grade inflammation theory, psoriasis, and herbal medicine. Methods : We reviewed recent studies on the relationship between chronic low-grade inflammation, psoriasis, and herbal medicine through Pubmed. Results : The pathological basis for psoriasis is the action of inflammatory mediators by the activation of the immune response, which can be a cause of various cardiovascular, metabolic and psychological symptoms of psoriasis patients, in addition to skin lesions. The herbal medicines improve these inflammatory conditions and improve local lesions through herbal medicine such as Qingdai, which have a strong inhibitory effect on IL-17,22 production. Conclusions : Herbal medicines used in psoriasis are thought to be effective not only for the improvement of local psoriasis lesions through anti-inflammatory effect but also for the improvement of systemic inflammation associated with chronic low grade inflammation.

• 동아시아식생활학회지
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• 제15권6호
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• pp.707-716
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• 2005

본 연구에서는 다양한 동물 모델을 사용하여 Dioscorea daemona Roxb. 줄기 메탄을 추출물(DD)의 항염증 활성을 측정하였으며 DD가 생체내에서 항산화 체계의 변화를 유도할 수 있는지도 살펴보았다. DD를 200mg/kg용량으로 3주간 경구투여하였을 때 동물실험모델에서 항염증 및 type IV 알레르기 억제 효과를 나타내었으며 혈청의 Catalase 활성, 지질 과산화, TG 및 HDL cholesterol 수치가 영향을 받았다. DD와 이를 클로로포름과 부탄올로 순차적으로 분획하여 얻은 fraction이 lipopolysaccharide(LPS)로 유도한 RAW264.7 대식세포주의 nitric oxide(NO), prostaglandin $E_2(PGE_2)$, tumor necrosis $factor-\alpha(TNF-\alpha)$, interleukin 6(IL6)의 생성을 억제하는지도 연구하였다. DD와 그 분획물들은 $4\~100{\mu}g/mL$ 농도에서 세포 독성을 나타내지 않고 LPS가 유도한 RAW264.7 세포주의 NO, $TNF-\alpha$, IL-6 생성을 억제하였다. LPS가 유도한 $PGE_2$ 생성은 DD의 클로로포름 분획에서 유의적으로 감소하였다(p<0.05). 따라서 Dioscorea daemona 추출물은 대식세포의 염증성 매개물의 억제를 통하여 항염증 활성을 나타내는 것으로 사료된다.